Eli - B/w To Color

Interesting assignment. So where you suppose to "interpret" Frank's photo or try and reproduce it? As an interpretation your photo kind of works, but Frank's photo has a lot more tension between the main character and his surroundings. In the Frank photo you see the old lady in the background kind of looking at him with a side long view. Also the cowboy in the Frank photo looks more like a real cowboy that is certainly out of place with his surroundings and for that matter quite out of place with the times. In NY at least. Out here in the west he would look quite normal and no one would give him a second glance. In the Frank photo he is quite isolated from the background due to dress but is also assimilated into anonymity with his body position exactly matching that of the gutter. The angle of view is also quite different between the two photos and this puts an entirely different weight on the subject. I can see what you are doing but for me at least the weighting is all wrong with the subject being to far right of center. The blurring of the car lights is a nice touch. Maybe you would like to explain to us just why you chose this composition.

Nice to see you are bucking the system by producing really RAW files LOL.

We were supposed to "reshoot" a preexisting B/W image and "improve" it. I chose to narrow my focus a bit, so I worked with images from a single artist (Frank). Obviously, this is not photoreproducton, and my camera is not some bizarre photocopier that changes B/W images into color. Franks photo was simply a starting point. I used parts or his image (The leaning against a trashcan, the lighting up, the cowboy(ish) getup), but I had to make this photo my own, and not Frank's. so yes, the composition is different, and the subject is more centered, but that was my choice.

I like the look that you have made with this. Seeking inspiration from other artists is OK in my book if you are using it as a point of departure. It is the differences that make things interesting. On the other hand I don't think we need another copy of Warhol's Campbell's Soup can.

Yes I know you did it differently, that's obvious. I was just interested in your thought processes around the way in which you composed your photo. Don't get me wrong I was not criticizing your photo, just pointing out different things. If you ask for comments then be prepared to accept them graciously.

Jesus..talk about a tough assignment! Transforming an image by Robert Frank is one thing, but improving on it?!! The photograph is good in itself, but I would not have instictively made the link (though I see it now that you mention it). Either that is a success at transforming it or not...depends on your point of view. I don't think it improves on it since if I were looking at the assignment, I might have chosen a B&W image that would be improved by the impact of colour. I am not sure that Robert Franks's cowboy is such an image. All round a good effort, and as I say the image itself is a fine one. Rgds, kal

I do not want to comment on the topic whether this is an appropriate homage to Robert Frank or not. Just want to say that although I find the garbage bin somehow distracting, the mood of this shot is awesome, really awesome, and the sharpness seems astounding for a 2s shot of a person. Really like it a lot!
Regards, Benjamin